Which upper tooth shows cups disappear at age 9?

Which upper tooth shows cups disappear at age 9?

• A. Upper central incisor
• B. Upper intermediate incisor
• C. Upper corner incisor
• D. Lower central incisor

Answer: (A)

In aging horses by teeth, we look at the cups in the upper incisors—the little indentations on the enamel of the crown. These cups wear away with use, and the timing of their disappearance helps estimate age. The upper central incisor is the first to lose its cup, typically around nine years old. That makes this tooth the best indicator for age nine. The other upper incisors lose their cups a bit later, and the lower central incisor follows a different wear timeline, so not all of them match the nine-year mark as reliably.

In aging horses by teeth, we look at the cups in the upper incisors—the little indentations on the enamel of the crown. These cups wear away with use, and the timing of their disappearance helps estimate age. The upper central incisor is the first to lose its cup, typically around nine years old. That makes this tooth the best indicator for age nine.

The other upper incisors lose their cups a bit later, and the lower central incisor follows a different wear timeline, so not all of them match the nine-year mark as reliably.